Ethical bin men offer a cheap way to get rid of food waste

National charity Fareshare UK has urged food and drink firms to take a "leap of faith" and support a new waste collection service.

It claimed that its Fareshare 1st was the only 'one-stop solution' to deal with surplus and waste food and drink in the most ethical and environmentally sustainable way.

The scheme, which has been trialled in the past year by Nestlé and Kellogg among others, redistributes surplus food still within its best before date to disadvantaged people across the UK via Fareshare's Community Food Network, or sells it through secondary commercial channels, with manufacturers' consent. Members of the network are audited regularly to ensure the brand integrity of food producers is not compromised.

Food not fit for human consumption is disposed of through zoos and city farms or the 'greenest' route available, avoiding landfill where possible.

Fareshare's chief executive Tony Lowe said the biggest challenge was in quelling food manufacturers' concerns about the security and safety of products.

Bruce Learner, community and social responsibility manager for Kellogg, praised Fareshare for its "high degree of professionalism". He said: "The worst case scenario for us is that our food ends up on a market stall, on neglected pallets in a railway siding, or changing hands in a pub. I have complete confidence in Fareshare's ability to manage our surplus in a way that does not damage our reputation.

"Fareshare ensure that our food goes to where it is needed most in society and it is clear that they have a great network and distribution system."

Lowe added: "It's actually cheaper to use the surplus food than to throw it away."

Based on a collection of 500 pallets, Fareshare estimates savings of up to 20% on disposal through landfill, with 30% of the product being redistributed at no extra cost to the client. This is based on fees of £7-10 per pallet, depending on the product.

"We just need firms to take a leap of faith now," said Lowe.

Commenting on Fareshare 1st's competitors, he said: "We are not in competition with the likes of Biffa or Cleanaway. We are not after their waste because we are so specialist - no one else can provide the use and consumption opportunities that we do."

But he said the organisation was looking to work in partnership with similar organisations wherever the opportunity arose.

One such partnership already exists with the charity Cambridge Foodbank, which redistributes surplus food to needy people in East Anglia.